Darnell runs for 48th District senate position

Michelle Darnell has thrown her hat into the ring in running for the 48th District’s Senate seat in this November’s special election.

Darnell is running as a Libertarian after she got politically involved in 2010 as a result of the housing crisis and subsequent fallout she saw in her local community.

Libertarian ideology attracted Darnell and she got involved in state politics as a Ron Paul Libertarian, she said, and hopes to bring a grassroots philosophy to Olympia.

“I would hope to be a little more responsive and in touch with my constituents if and when I am elected as senator. There will be two-way communication,” she said.

Top issues for Darnell include reworking increasing car tab prices, which have increased dramatically for some drivers in King County following the passage of Sound Transit 3 last November.

Darnell said many voters she’s talked with were taken by surprise by the increase.

Finding a solution to funding K-12 education required by the state Supreme Court’s McCleary decision is also high on her priorities.

“It’s a huge problem, and in the meantime, our kids and our teachers are suffering as a consequence of it,” she said.

Darnell said she also supports examining whether charter schools could help the state.

Traffic woes on the Eastside are also of concern for Darnell, who said she doesn’t have any solid answers, but has connections with groups like the Eastside Transportation Club, who she said could help find solutions.

Accountability to voters was an idea she brought up many times.

“My No. 1 goal is, obviously, to be elected, but the reason I would like to be elected is because I would like to give the voters in my district a voice,” she said.

Darnell ran in last November’s election for a state representative position.